Demolition (Wo)man

The kitchen remodel marches onward.  Phase I is underway: taking out the wall separating the dining and kitchen.  It divides the space into two small, dark areas that don't work well together.

My new favorite tool is the sledgehammer and "wonder bar", the black and yellow item visible on the counter. Those two items fueled this weekend's demo project, plus a Sawzall wielded by Jake.

Taking down the top cabinets was pretty easy with the wonder bar and a little muscle:

We discovered some old 80's wallpaper under the cabinets.  I was hoping to find some super cool stuff from the 60's, but not so!

The faux granite countertop came off with a couple of whacks from underneath with the sledgehammer and went to a good Craigslist home that same afternoon.

 

Next up: let's (get a professional to) cut a hole in that wall!!

Entry Wallpaper

I've been a little more than obsessed about wallpaper lately. My old posts covered a few patterns and types of paper I investigated. Initially, I considered removable wallpaper from Tempaper and then moved onto ogling "regular" paper but DIY-ing installation. Thankfully, I snapped into reality and realized that this is way beyond my skill level. Folks who hang their own with great success must have a special level of craftiness that I don't possess.

Then I ordered about a billion samples from Graham & Brown. They have lovely patterns in all styles and semi-reasonable prices. I actually found my pattern (Elinor) somewhere else ever slightly cheaper.
It comes in several other colorways.


So, I saved my pennies and called in an installer to put it in my split level entry.




In love. I know what designers and decorators mean when they say splurge on one high-drama piece for a room. It does make a difference.

Idea alert!

image

I spied this on the Better Homes & Gardens website. I'm thinking of adding a bench at the foot of the guest bedroom. I like the way they used two step-tables as a bench and added a cushion. Clever! I have two of these tables that I could try this with straight away. Mine won't look nearly as cute but it might be worth a shot. I'll report back with results ASAP.

Bedroom sneak peek

Here's the peacock blue wall in my bedroom. It's very rich so I did two walls and I will do the other 2 in anaccent color - I'm thinking a nice warm beige. I love the combo of my yellow velvet chair and the blue wall.

The color is "Pacific Palisades" from Benjamin Moore.

Peacock

I slapped this color on my bedroom wall today. Yeah, I'm crazy.

My DIY attempt at Jonathan Adler style

My Saturday was consumed with this job. This is an open wall in the dining room that needed something. I was originally going to do stripes but I quickly discovered that stripes are really really hard to get straight so I decided to go for an easier to tape pattern. I like it! I ran out of tape yesterday so today I will grab more and finish it off.